THE CHURCH IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 211, 20 April 1877, Page 9

THE CHURCH IN AMERICA.

We have received from a respected correspondent a portion of a letter referring to an article which appeared some months since in our columns, and of which the writer evidently mistakes the drift. We alluded to non-Catholic America, and did not take into consideration the effects of the Faith upon the great Bepublic. We have much pleasure in publishing the extract forwarded to us, and -which contains much that ia valuable and cheering :—

You pointed to an editorial in a recent issue of the Tablet, headed "A Nation's Bane." The writer speaks as if we wera galopping head, neck, and heels to the devil. I suppose we have some wicked sinners amongst us, the same as in evory other country. I hardly believe America is quite as bad as he writes it down in the Tablet. I think it speaks well for the country the rapid growth and spread of the Catholic faith, and, if we be allowed to forecast the future by the light of the past, we may, without presumption, predicate for Catholicity a career of usefulness and glory and influence far-reaching and all-pervading on American soil, hitherto unequalled, even in the most triumphant days of our holy and venerable Mother. Only one hundred years ago, the Catholics of the United Colonies consisted of a few isolated groups, without influence, authority, or legal recognition ; in the aggregate they counted about one in every thousand of the population. In 1810 the Catholics were estimated at upwards of 150,000, and the clergy 80, or double the number reported in 1 800. Twenty years afterwards the laity had increased to 450,000, and the clergy to 232. The hierarchy, which only dated from 1789, at this time reckoned 13 bishops. In 1840 the Catholics increased over one million, and the priesthood to 482. In 1850 the Catholic population was estimated at two and a quarter millions, the clergy at 1800. The year 1860 added to the Church four and a half millions, under the charge of 2235 priests. The year 1876, the best authority, puts the Catholic population seven millions. In the year 1847, wo had but 812 churches, several of which were small frame buildings. Many of these have since been pulled down, reconstructed, or rebuilt, and replaced by substantial brick or stone edifices. This in itself was a work of considerable merit. ; but when we reflect that since then no less than four thousand three hundred new churches have been added to this number, excellent specimens of solid lnisonry and architectural skill. The noble cathedrals especially which adorn Baltimore, Albany, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Boston, and other sees, are models of design, durability, and grandeur, of which any country or age might be proud. The same may be said, but with greater emphasis, of the Cathedral of St. Patrick now nearly completed in New York ; that epic in marble, from the ta.ll spire of which the glittering emblem of our salvation is dfistined, at no far distant day, to shine down upon a million faithful followers of the Cros3 Eighty-seven hospitals, and two hundred and twenty asylums of various kinds, attest the practical charity and benevolence of the Catholics of America The number of schools about one thousand, perhaps more. In the large cities most of the churches have a building for educational purposes attached In the rural districts the basements of the churches are enerally used for primary schools There are also a number of wiiat are called charity schools, generally under the charge of some of the teaching orders. New York alone bo\sts 24 of those schools, erected at a cost of four million dollars. There ara 640 academies and select schools, with an average attendance of 60,000, for whose accommodation, as well as for t c nuns and sisters who watch o^er them, an equal number of buildings, some very costly and extensive, have been provided. Though our seminaries and colleges do not show a proportionate rate of increase, either in numbers or attendance, the result, if taken by itself, is highly satisfactory. In the las! 1 century two of them only existed in the United States. Up to 1850 ten more were added. In 1874 we had 18 theological seminaries, attended by 1375 students ; 68 colleges with over 10,000 pupils, and about 600 professors and te.xchers. Our deficiency here is plausible eroug i, but we will advance. Few persons who have not devoted special attention to Catholic matters, can form an estimate of the radical change which has been taking place gradually but surely in the American mind regarding Catholicity. Fifty years ago there were hundreds of towns and villages where professors of our faith, few and obscure, were looked upon with downright contempt ; while a Catholic priest, because unknown, was regarded as little less than a monster of iniquity. In nearly all those places where formerly so little was known about our faith, are now to be found substantial churches, large and respectable congregations, zealous and respected priests, aud, perhips, one or more educational and charitable institutions. The rural American of to-day, who, with all his deficiencies, is usually a fair-minded man, being thus brought face to face with the things he had been taught to loathe, begins to feel the mists of prejudice lifted from his judgment, and ends by respecting the devotion and unaffected piety of those he lately contemned. Many other causes have likewise contributed to this desirable revolution in popular feeling, such as the annual visit of so many of our wealthy and influential citizens to Europe, where the ancient splendor of the Church may be seen in all its perfection Godless education will not destroy America as the writer in the Tablet predicts, but I will predict if he takes a trip this way in a hundred years hence, he will find the grand old ship of state sailing the water of Catholic America.